Electrode for reversible galvanic batteries.



W. MORRISON.

ELBGTRODE FOR REVERSIBLE GALVANIG BATTERIES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T.1o, 1910.

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ELECTRODE FOR REVERSIBLE GALVANIC BATTERIES.

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Application filed October 10,

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I; WILLIAM MORRISON, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and resident of Des Moines, Polk county', Iowa, have invented acertain new land useful Improvement ,in Electrodes or ReversibleGalvanic Batteries, of which the following is a specification.

' Iy invention relates to electrodes for reversible galvanic batteries,and more articularly to a positive electrode for use ma reversiblebattery in which an alkaline electrolyte is used. n

Furthermore, my invention relates to a positive electrode inf which theactive material is a compound `of zinc and chromium.

The object of my invention is the construction of'an electrode having acentral internal conductor. about which4 the active material is held,whereby .a very eilicient operation. of the battery is obtained. f

A furtherv object is to construct a highly improved and efficientelectrode in a very economical manner.

vThese and other objects of my'invention -will be readily understood byreference to the laccompanying `dra-wings, in which-1- Figure 11s ajrontelevation of my improved electrode. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken online 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a planview. Fig. 4 is a sectional viewtaken line 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of amodiiication. Fig. 6 is a detail part .in sectionfof a furthermodification.

In the drawings, like reference characters 'refer to similar partsin thevarious'tigures.

As shown in Fig. 1, myimproved electrode consists of a pluralityoftubes 1. I have shown seven,A although it is obvious that any suitablenumber may be used. Each ofthese tubes 1s constructed in the followingmanner: As shown in Fig. 2, they consistA of an inner tube 2 of heavypaper or other suitable material. Surrounding this Y. is a second tubeof asbestos Babout which is wound a binding of wireato strengthen thetube. The ends of the tube 2 are stopped up by suitable. plugs 4 and 5of wood or rubber or other .such material, and passing through the plug5 and extending part way into the plug iis a copper rod 6. Strung alongthis rod are thin copper washers 7 These washers are split as lshown inFig. 4,

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. .15, i910.

l so that they may fit the rod rather tight and yet be slid intoposition. The number and distance apart of these washers may be varied,although I 'preferably place them fromthree-eighths-to half an inchapart.

In Fig. 5 I show a modification in which the covering ,of asbestos Aandwire binding is'replaced by a perforated metal tube 14.

the metal tube 14 used in place of the `wire binding. These tubesconstructed in the above manner are connected together to formmymelectrode by means of a suitable connector 8 which isY constructed oftwo strips 9 and 10 of metal, such as copper or nickel, in which arecorresponding semicircular depressions. The section 10 has a plurality.of extensions which are clamped over the edges of the hold the twotogether: The ends of the rods 6 ofthe various tubes are then insertedin thev circular opening formed by the two correspondingl semi-circulardepressions; Indentations are then made with 'a sharp tool as shown', at12, so as t o hold theA rods in the connector in a manner wellunderstood. Passing through a suitable opening in the connector is abolt 13 by means of which a plurality. of electrodes may be connectedtogether in a completed battery, means being provided whereby this boltis connected to one terminal of the battery. The active material isplaced between the Washers 7 and surrounding the copper rods 6. Theactive material which I prefer to use in these tubes is that described1n my copending application Serial, Number 529,187, filed November zincand chromium mixed with mercu trolytic action, and in this reduced stateacts as an amalgamator for the zinc.

By having the mainconductor in the cenimproved results, as during the"charge of the battery the electrolytic action seeks the struction thiselectrolytic action commences onthe inside and works out. `This methodof operation is very essential for the roper 'operation of thiselectrode, for the ollowing reasons:y The nascent hydrogen combines withthe oxygen of the Zinc-chromium compound, which forms the activematerial In Fig. 6 the asbestos tube is retained, but

oxid, which. oXid is reduced under the elec-j ter of the activematerial, I obtain highly best conductor, and, therefore, by my con-Ii12-10. -Serial No.' 586,535REIS section `9 to firmly 22, 1909, whichconsists of a compound ofico in the tube and the potassium hydroxidcombines with the chromium compound of this active material to form apotassiumchromium-oxygen compound. By having this central conductor, itwill be readily seen that the electrolytic action takes place entirelyinside of the tube and, Works outward, so that substantially all oftheactive material is acted'upon more quickly and thoroughlyg, Furthermore,in the Working of this electrodeit is necessary that there'be aconcentrated solution of the vpotassium hydroxid inside of theelectrode, in order that this hydroxid may combine with the chromium ofthe zinc-'chromium compound under the electrolytic action in the mosteffective manner to form a. potassium-chromium compound, so that thezinc may be reduced to the metallic state. If 4an eXf ternal conductorwere used, the potassium hydroxid Would be broken up on the exterior ofthe tube hydrogen liberated Would escape through the solution into theair, and would not act upon the zinc-chromium compound to reduce thesame. Likewise the potassium oXid would unite With the water in theelec-` trolyte to form potassium hydroxid, which would be in thesolution instead of being in a concentrated material. It Willaccordingly beA seen that with this arrangement a proper operation of myelectrode would not be attained.

It is further noted that itis necessary that there be a concentratedsolution of po! tassium hydroXid inside of the tube. This concentratedsolution is necessary to obtain apowerful discharge of the battery, inaddition to the reasons above noted. This solution is more concentratedthan that of the electrolyte, and it is for that reason that it is veryimportant thatthe active material be confined within the porous tubesdescribed, so that there will be vcry'little free circulation of thepotassium hydroxid from the inside to the outside of t-he tube, as underthese conditions it would be iinpossible to maintain the strong'solution necessary upon the inside of the tube. Furthermore, I find itbest to form the tubes cylindrical, as in this shape they are betterable to resist the pressure from the iiiside,"Wliich is caused by thechange in the condition of the material during the charge and dischargeof the battery, as I have found that during this charg'e and dischargethe material Within the tube undergoes a complete structural change, andis under considerable pressure. It is important/in the charging of thisbattery that during the first stage it be charged at a hi 1r rate', inorder to create a high electrolyt c density to carry the electrolyticaction immediately to the central conductor of the tube. may be cutdownafter This rate of charge the battery is par- .protect the endsof therod to a great extent, and theA solution among the active tiallycharged, but for the best operation the rate of charging should bemaintained slightly higher than the rate at Which it is desired todischarge the battery.

A nfurther important feature of the construction-of my improvedelectrode is in the provision of the. plugs 4 and 5 through which theconductor .6 passes. These plugs lso that the tubes may be'surroundedwith the electrolyte up to a point above the top of the tube, and yet avery small amount of Will pass directly to the upper conductor onaccount of the lower end of the rod is protected in the same protectedby the insulating plug. The manner by the plug 4.

` What I claim as my invention is:

l. An electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in Which an alkalineelectrolyte is end of this the current i saine being used, consisting ofone or more tubes of.

porous material, each of said tubes consisting of a'series of cellsWithin which the active material is held.

2. In an electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in which analkaline electrolyte'is used, a.l tube oftporous material, suitableplugs in the ends thereof, a metallic rod extending through said tubeand said plugs, a. plurality of Washers placed on said rods whereby siadtube isy divided into sections, and active material held in saidsections.

3. In an electrode forreversible galvanic batteries, in which analkaline electrolyte is used, a tube consisting of an inside lining ofpaper surrounded by a layer of asbestos and f a Wire binding on theexterior` thereof,v a metallic rod extending through the center thereof,and division plates on saidv rods dividing said tube into sections-andactiveA material in said sections and surrounding said rod.

4. A negative-pole electrode for reversible galvanic batteries, in whichan alkaline electrolyte is used, consisting of one or more tubeselectrically connected by means of a suitable connector, a metallic rodextending 'l through the interior of each tube, andactive materialconsisting of a zinc chromium com? pound placed Within said tubes andsurrounding said rods.

5. In a positive electrodeY for reversible galvanic batteries, in Whichan alkaline electrolyte is used, a tube of porous material, a metallicrod extending through said tube, and active material consisting of azinc chromium compound surroundingsaid rod.

6. In a positive electrode, forfreversible galvanic batteries, in whichan alkaline electrolyte is used, a tube of porous material, a metallicconductor N'extending' through said tub'e, and active materialcontaining a chromium compound surrounding said conductor.

7. In a positive electrode' for reversible y 975,981 j a l'galvanicbattries, in which an alkaline hybatteries, containing a chromiumcompound l10 drate electrolyte is used, af tube vof porous held Within aporous tube.. :.f.

material," a metallic conductor extending Signed by mev at Washington,D. C. this through said tube, and active material, con- -8th day ofOctober 1910.

5 ltainingzinc and a 'compound adapted to reduce tlie'solubility ofthezinc in the alkaline r WILLA M MORRISON" v'hydratesolution,surrounding said" con- Witnessesx' ductor.' 'f Jos. ,H. BLACKWcoD.

8. An Ielectrode for 'reversible galvanic` l, Hl A. SWENARTON.

I j It is hrebrtied that, 5m Letters 'Patent No. 975,981',I4 grantedNuovelb'e'fis, 19,10, upon the applicationW'illiamfMorrisomoflDesv'Moineg-Iowa, for animvpriovexznent inElectrodes for Reversible GalvanicBatteries," errors appear the printedvspeeictionl requiringv correction as follows: Page 2, lines 80andlSls-hould beI-traDSPOSQ'd; andirame 'Pag-e, line 96,' the word` siadShould-,read said)A and Athat the eaidjlletters'Patentshcld -beread-,with these corrections therein that the lsaine may vcontorni/'to4the record of the easein'the Patent Ofce. i I

d signed and Sealealthivserdfay or January, AQD., i911; o

-- [me] -f l y y i El B. Moenia,

Commissioner of Patents.

Corrections in. LjeitefrsPtent No. 975,981'

' y 975,981 j a l'galvanic battries, in which an alkaline hybatteries,containing a chromium compound l10 drate electrolyte is used, af tubevof porous held Within a porous tube.. :.f.

material," a metallic conductor extending Signed by mev at Washington,D. C. this through said tube, and active material, con- -8th day ofOctober 1910.

5 ltainingzinc and a 'compound adapted to reduce tlie'solubility ofthezinc in the alkaline r WILLA M MORRISON" v'hydratesolution,surrounding said" con- Witnessesx' ductor.' 'f Jos. ,H. BLACKWcoD.

8. An Ielectrode for 'reversible galvanic` l, Hl A. SWENARTON.

I j It is hrebrtied that, 5m Letters 'Patent No. 975,981',I4 grantedNuovelb'e'fis, 19,10, upon the applicationW'illiamfMorrisomoflDesv'Moineg-Iowa, for animvpriovexznent inElectrodes for Reversible GalvanicBatteries," errors appear the printedvspeeictionl requiringv correction as follows: Page 2, lines 80andlSls-hould beI-traDSPOSQ'd; andirame 'Pag-e, line 96,' the word` siadShould-,read said)A and Athat the eaidjlletters'Patentshcld -beread-,with these corrections therein that the lsaine may vcontorni/'to4the record of the easein'the Patent Ofce. i I

d signed and Sealealthivserdfay or January, AQD., i911; o

-- [me] -f l y y i El B. Moenia,

Commissioner of Patents.

Corrections in. LjeitefrsPtent No. 975,981'

It is hereby certified that m Letters Patent No. 975,981, grantedNoveniber`15, 1910, upon the application of William Morrison, of DesMoines, Iowa, for an im provement in Electrodes for Reversible GalvanicBatteries," errors appear in the printed specification requiringcorrection as follows: Page 2, lines 8() and should be transposed; andsame page, line 96, the word sind should read said; and that thesaidiLebters 'Patent should be read with these corrections therein thai,(he

same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rd day of January, A. D., 1911.

[SEAL] E. B. MOOR E,

Cbmmz'ssz'oner of Paten ts.

